With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight.

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.

When one treats people with benevolence, justice and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.

The sovereign must have full knowledge of the activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must come from the double agents, and therefore it is mandatory that they be treated with the utmost liberality.

Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared